REDLANDS: Raw sewage spills into Santa Ana River

Raw sewage -- up to 600,000 gallons -- spilled from the Redlands Water Treatment Plant into the Santa Ana River, city officials say.

The accident happened between 9 and 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, due two factors: a Southern California Edison power outage and storm runoff that caused the treatment reservoirs to overflow, city spokesman Carl Baker said in a written statement.

The treatment plant at 1950 Nevada Street is across the river from the east end of San Bernardino International Airport and downstream of the Redlands drinking water plant. The nearest well is two miles uphill from the spill area, Baker said.

"We want to assure city of Redlands customers that all the water we deliver is completely safe and is not affected by the recent spill," the statement quotes Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director Fred Mousavipour as saying.

The city statement added that the sewage had been partially treated prior to the spill and "would be diluted by the heavy flow in the river before reaching any water facilities in Riverside or Orange Counties, where the water would be disinfected."

Anyone with questions or concerns may call the Redlands utilities and engineering department at 909-798-7698.
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